Jesus Wants You to Love Your Enemies

October 4, 2023

Jesus says in Luke 6:27-29, “Love

your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you.

Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer

the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt

also” (NLT).

This type of

radical love that Jesus is talking about goes totally against our human

nature and against what our society teaches.

Love your enemies? Who does that? Yet, Jesus tells us that’s what we as his followers are to do.

Romans 12:17-18 “Never

pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can

see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with

everyone.”  

What you’re taught in our society today is if somebody punches you,

you punch them back and you hit them harder. Society says: Don’t get

mad, get even.

But, Jesus teaches that we should do the opposite. We should actually

pray for those who hurt and offend us. We forgive them, even though

they don’t ask for it or deserve it.

What happens when you do that? You get the smile of God on your life.  

When you refuse to retaliate and instead respond in love at work or

with somebody who doesn’t like you, God will be pleased. And you’re

going to be blessed.

Jesus said, “God

blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of

Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you

and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because

you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great

reward awaits you in heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12 NLT).

Yeah, but is this really realistic? How can you actually “love your enemies?” How can you love someone who has hurt you?

You need the love of Christ in you to help you. You need the power of the Holy Spirit. Only then can you love the hard-to-love.